Commuting Tips
HOW TO COMMUTE BY BICYCLE- The following are some tips from the league of American Bicyclists on Safe Bike Commuting
Sharing the road
- Bicycles are vehicles and should act and be treated as such on the roadways
- Laws that apply to motorists apply to cyclists as well; ride on the right, with traffic
- Ride in the right-most lane that goes in the direction that you are travelling
Signals and signs
- Obey all stop signs, traffic lights and lane markings
- Look before you change lanes or signal a turn; indicate your intention, then act
- Identify hazards and adjust your position on the roadway accordingly
Safety
- If the lane is too narrow or you are going the same speed as traffic, take the lane
- Be visible and predictable at all times; wear bright clothing and signal turns
- Always wear a helmet to protect your head in the event of a crash
Route choice
- Consider distance, traffic volume, road width and condition, and terrain
- Some routes may be a bit longer but much more pleasant; carry a map for detours
- Allow extra time for a new route; try riding different routes on the weekend
Bike parking
- Try to find an indoor parking area in your office or building in which to keep your bike
- Lock your bike to an immovable object in a highly visible area out of the elements
- Ask your employer or building owner to provide safe, covered parking
The bike
- Any bike that you feel comfortable on will work; make sure it is in good working order
- Consider weather protection such as fenders and a rack for carrying capacity
- Invest in a rechargeable headlight; helmet and handlebar mounts are available
Maintenance
- Have your bike checked over by your local bike shop
- Learn how to repair a flat, fix a chain and inspect your brake pads for wear
- Replace tires when they are worn out; use tire liners if you experience excessive flats
Weather
- Heat, cold and precipitation require special preparation for you and your bike
- Fenders and rain gear keep out the rain; use layers and wind proofing for cold days
- Some cycling-specific gear can provide relief on hot days; it keeps you cool and dry
For the third year in a row, data released by the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey show that more than half of one percent of American workers use a bicycle as their
primary mode of transportation to work. While this number represents nearly 40 percent growth since 2000, it also shows that we still have a lot of work to do in making our communities truly welcoming to bicyclists.
See the bike commuter estimates for the 375 cities for which the ACS released bike commuter numbers.
A look at the country's 70 largest cities shows that the communities that have done the most to promote bicycling through engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation – determined by the League's
Bicycle Friendly America program – have seen greater increases in bike commuting over the past decade than non-Bicycle Friendly Communities.
Since 2005, the 38 Bicycle Friendly Communities among the 70 largest cities saw a 95 percent average increase in bicycle commuting. In contrast, the 32 non-Bicycle Friendly Communities (among the largest 70) grew 46 percent. Since 2000, large Bicycle Friendly Communities grew 78 percent, compared to 55 percent for large non-BFCs.
At a time when Congress is debating the future of key funding sources for bicycling projects, these cities are showing what can be done with smart investments, including
Transportation Enhancements, and
innovative facilities.
Tables:
2010 Bike Commuter Statistics for 375 cities (all cities over 65,000 population that had bike commuter estimates)
2000 – 2010 Bike Commuter Statistics for 70 Largest US Cities